Weight plates are weight lifting equipment added to dumbbells and barbells to create an added resistance when exercising.
These weight plates are made of different materials, including cast iron, steel, or cement, and they come in different shapes, either octagonal or circle, and different weights. Weight plates are either made to fit a standard or Olympic barbell.
Standard weight plates are the most common as they are usually in home gym equipment. Olympic-sized plates are used in commercial gyms where durability is of the essence. Since they are mostly made of aluminum, they can stand being dropped constantly.
Honestly, let’s agree that purchasing weight plates can be a hefty investment. The following are factors you should consider before purchasing weight plates for either commercial or home use. You can also checkout this page for more details.
- The Types of the Weight Plates in the Market.
Weight plates are commonly made of cast iron, and these are less durable and less costly than steel plates. Both iron and steel plates come in two forms, calibrated or regular.
Calibrated steel or iron plates are expensive because they are accurate, and they inform the person who is exercising the exact weight they are lifting. The plates are also very thin, making it easy to load more weight to Olympic bars.
These are mostly used during competitions because they are costly to purchase. Regular weights, on the other hand, have been used since time immemorial. They are more cost-effective, although a bit noisier.
- The Material Used to Finish or Coat the Plates.
In most commercial centers rubber coated barbell plates are commonly used. Due to them being budget-friendly and causing less harm to the floor when dropped, they have become quite popularized. Choosing between coated or uncoated plates is usually up to the buyer.
Uncoated plates are, however, less durable and unsafe when dropped to the floors. They also make a lot of noise and make other people exercising around you unfocused, which is a recipe for disaster.
Rubber wears easily, and it can be smelly, which makes it unfavorable to most people. Read more here https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19548533/ways-to-use-weight-plates-without-barbell/
- Look for Weight Plates with Handles.
You can only study the physical structure of a plate by inspecting the plate up close. Since we have already established that steel weight plates are better than cast iron plates, look at the handles in either plate.
When loading the plates into a bar, having weights with handles is very handy, especially for weights above 35lbs. I recommend that any buyer steer clear of any weight plate with a smooth finish; however, it looks pretty, it is inconvenient, and may easily cause fatal accidents if accidentally dropped. Handles are easier to exercise with by lifting the weight plates solely.
- The Physical Components of the Weight Plate.
These physical components include shape, durability, the hole size of the weight plate, and thickness. Octagonal weight plates were used in the past, but they are becoming less popular due to their unsafe measures.
It is vital to purchase circular-shaped plates because they are more stable. Olympic-sized plates have a 2-inch hole which is 5cm. They are easily fitted to Olympic bars or other barbells used in weight lifting.
As far as thickness is concerned, the thicker the plate, the safer it is when dropped. Thicker plats, therefore, make an excellent choice for commercial use; however, they are problematic when loading them to an Olympic bar due to their massiveness. Click here to read more on toning muscles using weight plates.
Conclusion.
I have to warn any buyer about the cheap quality stuff that has flooded the market, especially since most people have taken to weight lifting at home due to many COVID restrictions. To make sure you are not being ripped off, always check for the following tips. Look for plates that have handles for ease of handling. Never buy a plate with a size hole diameter larger than your bar, it will fall off, and the consequences can be dire. For durability, purchase urethane coated plates; although it is expensive, it does not wear easily; they are much thinner and are resistant to scratching. Now that you have become well-versed in this matter, as a buyer, go for plates that will most suit your needs, either for commercial use or personal use.